TQS StaffThis week: Madonna’s new video goes viral, The King’s Speech makes its stage debut and Miley Cyrus calls for gay marriage in the USA.
Madonna unleashes highly anticipated new video
The long-awaited new video from Queen of Pop, Madonna, was uploaded to the internet and screened on billboards in London, Paris and New York on Thursday. The video, entitled Give Me All Your Luvin’, features Nicki Minaj and British recording artist M.I.A dressed as cheerleaders. The release of the video arrived ahead of the Material Girl’s performance during the halftime show at Sunday’s Super Bowl in the US. The official video has amassed over eight million Youtube views so far.
Shots of the Queen of Pop walking along a wall, held up by her footballer admirers, are etched in my mind- another frantic attempt to defy the effects of gravity, eh Madge? The press have focussed on the shots of Madonna writhing around in a white lace dress a la Marilyn Monroe. Personally, I’d say less Miss Monroe, more Miss Havisham as she digs her talons into the current success of her young cheerleader minions. It is embarrassing how Nicki Minaj and M.I.A, both hugely talented artists, are mere corgies to the Queen Mother of Pop in this video. As Minaj and M.I.A appear in increasingly subjugated poses, the video screams: “Hi. I’m 53 years old- make me look young and ensure my public image is no longer as emaciated as my gammy arms.” As the son of a beautiful 53-year-old woman who looks much, much younger than her age, I know that 50 plus women can be beautiful, sexy and vivacious. So, why on Earth is Madonna throwing all that away so publicly to look desperate, ungracious and self-important (again)? As for the song: God created Nicola Roberts for a reason.
The King’s Speech stage production premieres in UK
The stage version of the highly acclaimed film The King’s Speech debuted in the UK on Thursday night. After its run at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford, the play is scheduled to tour in Nottingham, Bath, Brighton, Richmond and, finally, Newcastle. The screenplay for the Oscar-winning film was written by David Seidler, who also wrote the stage script. Seidler promises that the play will go beyond the narrative of the 2010 film. He told the BBC:
“The stage version has a great deal more of the politics and I think a great deal more humour – it’s a richer canvas”
In the stage version, Charles Edwards plays the title role made famous by Colin Firth in the film; Jonathan Hyde takes on the role of speech therapist Lionel Logue; and Emma Fielding plays Queen Elizabeth- the role previously portrayed by Helena Bonham-Carter.
What am I most excited about? The fact that Richie Rich’s butler/the poacher in Jumanji is playing the part of speech therapist Lionel Logue.
Movie buffs and theatre lovies alike will be thrilled that this much-loved film has been interpreted for stage. Whilst the mainstream critics have yet to release their verdicts on the production, it is a fair bet that it will be set for the West End if it proves commercially successful. For us Northern folk, there are fewer options for catching this show in its brief tour, however I have posted links below for performances at the Theatre Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham (13-18 February) and Theatre Royal, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (12-17 March).
Nottingham: http://www.trch.co.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16105
Newcastle: http://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/the-kings-speech
Miley Cyrus speaks out in support of gay marriage
Pop star Miley Cyrus has made a statement supporting gay marriage in the USA. The Can’t Be Tamed singer made headlines last year when she had a tattoo designed in support of equal love. On Saturday, an interview with Glamour magazine revealed her official stance on the issue and her impetus to promote the legalisation of gay marriage throughout the US. Cyrus argued:
“Imagine finding someone you love more than anything in the world, who you would risk your life for but couldn’t marry….And you couldn’t have that special day the way your friends do – you know, wear the ring on your finger and have it mean the same thing as everybody else. Just put yourself in that person’s shoes.”
Cyrus’ revelations came two days after the passing of a bill that would legalise same-sex marriage in Washington state. The 19-year-old daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus added:
“I believe every American should be allowed the same rights and civil liberties. Without legalised same-sex marriage, most of the time you cannot share the same health benefits, you are not considered next of kin and you are not granted the same securities as a heterosexual couple”
Good on the girl. It is commendable that a public figure with great influence over her young peers is willing to step up to the soap box without fear of political correctness or oversensitivity issues. She shows her awareness of the securities and benefits that gay couples are denied in the US. Furthermore, though it might seem fickle to some to ‘have that special day the way your friends do’, I completely sympathise with the all-American songstress’s sentimentality. If a gay couple love each other more than life itself, why shouldn’t they have the right to have that publicly acknowledged and celebrated like everyone else?
*Disclaimer*: Singletons might require copious Ben & Jerry’s if reading Miley’s sentiments in the run-up to 14 February.
Click here to read the rest of the interview.
Words by @j_fishman
